Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1887-09-28

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1sS5. Chicago. .........g0 "a .726
The poorest record made by any club in
the history of the League was by the Gin
cinnatis in 1876, when they succeeded in
winning but nine games during the whole
season, losing So. The Philadelphias did
nearly as bad in 1883, when they won II
and lost 81.
%PITTsBURG is RESPONSIBLE.
Big Jim Mccormick and Captain Abner
Dalrymple, who played with Chicago last
season, are now, as is well known, playing
with the Pittsburg League team, and as the
end of the season approaches both of these
players indulge i'll grins of quiet satisfac-
ton as they look over the record Of games
won and lost this season. Why? Because,
had it not been for Pittsburg's work against
Chicago, the White Stockings might now
be on fighting terms with Detroit for the
pennant.
1t Is a singular fact that one of the two
new clubs in the League beat Chicago out
OF the championship of 1887. So far as
played, Chicago has won its series with
every club in the League, excepting only
the new chaps from Pittsburg, who are sixth
III the race. Anson's men have beaten the
coming CHAMPIONS 10 out of Is games, the
Phillies II out of IL, the Giants IL out of
II. kelly's men 7 out of 10, the Senators 8
out vi Ia. III tue IlOOSlpTS III OUT Oh IL.
Doubtless the champions of the glorious
years of 50 and so will finish the season
winner of a majority of the games played
with each of the other clubs, excepting
only those dreadful puddlers and glass
blowers from the Smoky City. just think
OF lt-ten games from Detroit, eleven
from New York, twelve from Philadel-
phia, and only three from Pittsburg.
Six times have Anson's men gone down in
miserable defeat before these hoodoo sons
of Vulcan. Had Chicago been able to do
as we'll against the Pittsburgs as the De-
troits have done, Captain Arson would now
be ordering the painter to daub 1857" on
that big flag at the White Stocking Park.
Had the Chscagos done as we'll with the
Smoked Glass men as Philadelphia has
done, even, or Boston, or Washington,
Chicago and Detroit would now be bat
Ting for the flag. But the fates have
willed OF erwise. Pittsburg can lay the
fiattering JUNCTION to her cold chilled soul
that even if she hasn't been able to win
better than sixth place her debut in the
League has been signalized by the most
pronounced case of heodoo in League his
tory. This is why Dalrymple and Nc
Cormick smile.
CHICAGO SIGNS A NEW ONE.
Captain Arson has signed a new pitcher,
VIM utsAIS " WIG SAuBlC SulAC DC HAS
pitched thus far for tn champions, is a
valuable acquisition to the Chicago Club.
His name is c. w. Sprague and he comes
from Vermont. He is twenty-o one years
old, weighs l54 pounds, and Is five feet
nine inches tall. He is "A left handed
pitcher. and has a record of eighteen
James won out of q possible twenty.
While playing an infield position Tor
the Lynn tMass.) team he accepted
ffty-eight fielding chances out of a posi-
bic sixty. The young man thought him
self a good deal of q pitcher, aud so he
came to Chicago for a job. He reached
the young man through the PAGES
on the morning Of his arrival, Cap
tain Arson thought SO much Of him that ho
decided to put him in the box against New
York the following day. The result Was
an excellent g owing for the Vermont boy,
the game standing a tie Of 3 to 5 at the end
of he ninth inn ng, at which time it was
too dark to play off the tie.
Sprague looks something like Ward, Of
the New Works. He is clean shaven, some
VIVA hollow chested, and when he runs he
resembles O windmill in action. But he is
a pitcher and no mistake. His delivery,
although le~ft-handed, is not altogether
dissimilar to Clarkson's. He has two
powerful curves, which straighten out near
the plate, and a paralyzing underhand
riser" While in the box Sprague exhibits
much elaboration. He doesn't wipe his
chest like Van Haltren or Baldwin, nor
does be scrape the bosom of his pants like
Larry Corcoran. All his fondlilg is con-
fined to the ball, which he often holds in
the elbow Of lis right arm. His speed is
greater than anything Van Haltren has yet
shown, and his command of the ball is far
better than that Of either of the junior
pitchers OF the team. Considering the fact
that it was the youngsters first appearance
in a League game, and that his work was
being wat he'd by 5000 persons, his record,
made against ONE of the heaviest batting
clubs in the League. is really meritorious.
RI WANTS ANsoN
The sensation Of the week in League
base- ball affairs was the offer of the De-
troit Club to purchase the release Of Cap.
tain Arson from the Chicago Club. Presi-
dent Spalding on Friday received the fol-
lowing letter from President +. X. Stearns,
of the Detroit Club:
FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL, Sept. IA.
a. G. Spalding, Chicago:
"DEAR SIR have recently noticed Sc
we're. and what seemed to me unjust, criti-
cisms on Arson. The papers seem to de-
sire q change Of management. Recognizing
the ability Of Arson, both as q ball-player
and manager, / would ask, IS . special
personal favor, that ii any change 10 con-
templated you will notify me Immediately.
/ am not only willing but anxious to pay
more for his release than any other club
would. With Arson in charge, the present
Detroit Club would hold the pennant for
years to come. kindly wire me on receipt
Of this what my chances are for securing
him. Fraternally yours.
"F. X. STEARNs.
up. S.-Would an offer of $4,000 DO
entertained?"
The following reply was at once wired to
Mr.. Stearns:
"CHIcAGo, Sept. 16.
#. X. stearns, President Detroit Bali Club.
Detroit, Mich.
aside from q few newspaper critics
Arson is fully appreciated here. No oher
that You can make will be entertained.
u ~